Infant positioner for reducing risk of overheating in infants

Abstract

An infant positioner comprising a mat and supporting opposed pillows. This combination creates a cradle for positioning an infant within the device. While the infant rests or sleeps in the device, ventilating channels are provided in each of the opposed pillows for regulating the temperature of the infant and, thereby, reducing the risk of the infant becoming overheated. The device further provides opposed pillows that are adjustable for accommodating various positions for the infant.

1 . A device for holding an infant, comprising: 
 means for supporting the infant;    means for positioning the infant in a position relative to the means for supporting the infant;    means for affixing the means for positioning the infant to the means for supporting the infant;    a ventilation channel formed in the means for positioning the infant, the ventilation channel enabling the transfer of air through the means for positioning the infant to and from the infant held by the device.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for supporting the infant is a mat.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for positioning the infant in a position relative to the means for supporting the infant consists of two opposed pillows.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein one of the opposed pillows has a cross sectional shape that is selected from the group consisting of a circle, oval, ovid, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon, rhombus, trapezoid, and octagon.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the shape of one of the opposed pillows is curved.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the other of the opposed pillows has a cross sectional shape that is selected from the group consisting of a circle, oval, ovid, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon, rhombus, trapezoid, and octagon.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the shape of the other of the opposed pillows is curved.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the two opposed pillows are placed adjacent to one another for creating a cradle between them for holding the infant.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the two opposed pillows are spaced apart from one another for creating a cradle for holding the infant between them and the means for supporting the infant.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 3  wherein each pillow has an interior side and an opposed exterior side, the interior side of each pillow facing in the direction towards the infant.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the ventilation channel extends through each pillow from the interior side to the exterior side.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 3  wherein each opposed pillow contains a plurality of ventilation channels.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of ventilation channels are spaced apart from one another for providing access to different regions of the infant.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the ventilation channel has a cross sectional shape that is selected from the group consisting of a circle, oval, ovid, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon, rhombus, trapezoid, and octagon.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the opposed pillows are permanently secured to the means for supporting the infant.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the opposed pillows are releasably attached to the means for supporting the infant.  
   
   
       17 . A device for holding an infant on their back or side, comprising: 
 two opposed pillows placed adjacent to one another, each having a first side and a second side;    a cradle formed between the first sides of each the opposed pillows, the cradle engagedly holding the infant;    a passageway extending through at least one of the opposed pillows from the first side to the second side for providing a channel through which air can flow to and from the infant held in the cradle.    
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the passageway is located within the at least one opposed pillow for providing the access of air to and from the regions of the infant selected from the group consisting of upper, middle, and lower.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the at least one opposed pillow contains a plurality of passageways.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein the plurality of passageways have a constant diameter.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 21  wherein the variable diameter of each of the plurality of passageways is different from one another.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the other of the opposed pillows contains a passageway that extends from the first side to the second side for providing a channel through which air can flow to and from the opposite side of the infant held in the cradle.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the passageway has a cross sectional shape that is selected from the group consisting of a circle, oval, ovid, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon, rhombus, trapezoid, and octagon.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the opposed pillows have a cross sectional shape that is selected from the group consisting of a circle, oval, ovid, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon, rhombus, trapezoid, and octagon.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the opposed pillows are curved.  
   
   
       26 . A device for holding an infant on their back or side, comprising: 
 two opposed pillows placed adjacent to one another for creating a cradle between them to hold the infant;    a ventilation channel formed in at least one of the opposed pillows for providing the flow of air to and from the infant.